The Amityville Horror

George Lutz and his wife Kathy move with their three kids into a large Victorian house in Amityville hoping for a fresh start. The property appears attractive but hints at a troubling past. Nearly from day one, the family endures unsettling noises, cold spots, and a growing sense of unease that tests their resolve. George struggles to keep the household together as money worries mount and pressure from work bleeds into family life. Kathy senses an otherworldly pull she cannot explain, while the children report odd experiences that disrupt their sleep. As the days creep by, each member experiences vivid visions and impulses that feel unfamiliar and increasingly dangerous inside their own home. Paranoia tightens the household as fear grows.

Directed by Stuart Rosenberg, The Amityville Horror adapts Sandor Stern's screenplay from Jay Anson's original book. Released in 1979, the haunted house film became a notable late 70s horror entry, known for practical effects and restrained shocks and earned prestige.

The film earned about 86,432,488 dollars worldwide against a budget of 4.7 million, delivering a strong return and helping to cement its place in pop culture. Its commercial success sparked enduring interest in haunted house stories in homes and theaters.

The Amityville Horror left a lasting stamp on cinema by shaping the late 70s and 80s wave of haunted house titles. Its focus on a normal family confronting a malevolent space resonated with audiences, influencing later films and fueling a long running franchise and imitators that echoed in sequel culture.

Critics at the time noted the film's steady mood and strong performances from James Brolin and Margot Kidder, though some deemed it more atmospheric than revealing a larger message. The story leans on family strain, fear of the unknown, and the pull of a troubling history that resonates with viewers.